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AP source: Obama picks Wheeler to head FCC

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A White House official says President Barack Obama plans to name a former cable and wireless industry lobbyist to head the Federal Communications Commission.

The official said Obama planned to announce Wednesday that he was nominating Tom Wheeler as the country's top telecommunications regulator. The official said Obama would name FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn to serve as acting chairwoman while Wheeler awaits Senate confirmation. The official spoke on a condition of anonymity since the selection had not yet been officially announced.

Wheeler is former head of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association and the National Cable Television Association. Since 2005, he has been a venture capitalist at Core Capital Partners.

Wheeler would replace outgoing chairman Julius Genachowski (jen-uh-KOW'-skee), who announced in March he would be stepping down.

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